Approach and tips how to keep up your performance, and manage potential travel related stresses, as a business leader, entrepreneur or manager while traveling and doing business overseas.

1. 16/01/2014
Bettina Pickering
Valerie Cheong Took

2. Who we are:
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Bettina Pickering
Valerie Cheong Took

3. •Introduction
•Selected Research
•Your expectations
•Travel Stress –process and types
•Your challenges & solutions
•Our key three tips
•Close
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4. 1. World Bank Study
•Survey of 498 World Bank staff
•Reported Travel Stress
–36% high-very high
–42% moderate
•Travel Stress affecting physical & emotional health
–15% often or all of the time
–29% sometimes
•Key Stressor Triggers were reported as
–Isolation & away from family (>40%)
–More demanding workload on return (>30%)
Source: Risk factors for psychological stress among international business travellers, J Striker, R S Luippold, L Nagy, et al., OccupEvironMed 1999 56:245-252
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2. Managing Business Travel
•Travel costs vs Traveller’s Values
–Economy travel vs high educational levels/perceived business class status
–Company volume contracts vs Loyalty schemes
•Travel operator marketing vs Traveller Identity
–Exclusivity & Prestige of higher class travel vs Traveller’s perception of themselves
•Policy vs Emotionality of Travel
–Perks for senior’s or bosses vs perceived devaluing of other staff members
–Preferred supplier vs internet prices
Source: Managing business travel: Developments and dilemmas in corporate travel management, Per Gustafson, Tourism Management 33 (2012)

5. 3. Carlson Wagonlit Study
•Survey of 6000 Travellers from around the world
•Biggest Stress Factors on a typical business trip were
–Lost or Delayed Luggage
–Poor or no Internet connection
–Flying economy
–Delays
Source: Stress triggers for Business Travellers, Traveller Survey Analysis, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, 2012
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6. In groups of 5:
•Expectations
•Countries you travel to for business
•Challenges you face
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Getting there - Travel
Cognitive flexibility– Actual vs Expectations
Missing out –Family separation anxiety
Maintaining Momentum-time and behaviour based strains
Keeping it going – Virtual Working
Leaving here - Preparation
Managing non work disruptions
Managing roles conflict : domestic vsinternational work
Putting life on hold - Pausing
Overseas Business
Homebase
Business
Home Life
While Leaving
Being Overseas
After Returning

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Boundaries
•Surprises
•Expectations
•Values & Beliefs
•Culture/Ways of working
•Too little me time
Mental Activity
•Lost time
•Last minute arrangements
•Perceived barriers: increased workload, foreign vslocal status
Emotional Concerns
•Loss of Control
•Impact on Family
•Loss of support
•Fear of illness/danger
Unconscious Habits
•Routine Breakers
•Lack of exercise & sleep
•Lack of healthy food
Stress Types

9. In groups of 5:
•Discuss your personal stress challenges & solutions, that work for you
•Put the key ones on post-its
•Categorise them into the process (before, during and after)
•Appoint a presenter
Be prepared to present to the other groups
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10. Typical Stressors
Ways of stressreduction/prevention
OverseasBusiness
Dealingwith non work disruption
Managing theunexpected
Last minute changesto schedule
Dealing with anxiety of family and friend separation.
Research (diseases, clothes, food, culture, connectivity, currency)
Preparation (reading material, favourite music/films, charged devices)
Adjust your perspective e.g. learning journey
Contingency planning (first aid kit, cash)
Consider travel insurance (and overseas medical insurance for travel outside the UK)
HomebaseBusiness
Constraints of Travel Policy
Anxiety about identity transformation – roles in domestic and international offices
Dealing with cultural and ethical gaps.
Focuson the positive: what you can do,strengths.
Delegate as much work as you can
Avoid overschedulingyour time away with home business stuff (allow for the unexpected)
Contingency planning (home and office)
Home Life
Filling in the gaps
Known commitments & events
Physical, emotional and mental preparation
Installskype/video time calling schedules , tape favourite show
Cancel or postpone known appointments
Choose transferable activities.
Consider concierge service / let neighbours etcknow
Work out with partner about running the house and looking after family
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11. Typical Stressors
Ways of stressreduction/prevention
OverseasBusiness
Different beliefsand values
Differentcultural norms
Makingthe most of existing work infrastructure.
Focus on similarities
Define your comfort zone and work out your cognitive flexibility
Approach to dealing with potential conflicting situations
HomebaseBusiness
Expectations & Targets
Fixed deadlines (e.g. tax, renewals)
Delegate before you leave
Schedule catch up time foryour return (min 1-2 days)
Patience is a virtue, manage perfectionist tendencies
Home Life
Lackof support
Concernabout family
Unhealthy food
Lack of sleep, disruptionof circadian rhythm
Emergencies at Home
Arrangeto meet friends of friends
Plan in calls home
Plan in “ me time” (spa,hotel gym, photography)
Plan in downtime (e.g. movie/audio book downloads upfront, meditation)
Contingencyoptions (neighbours, extended friends/family, concierge service)
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12. Typical Stressors
Ways of stressreduction/prevention
OverseasBusiness
Expectedfollow up
Short window for follow up
Agree follow updates while you are with your client/colleagues
Allow for unexpected delays
Clear your diary before you leave for follow ups (at least 0.5 days)
Work out alternative options
HomebaseBusiness
Accumulated workload
Identitytransformation
Forwardplanning –schedule less new stuff for your return & prioritise
Account for fuzzy boundaries between role at home office and overseas office.
Home Life
Reverse Culture Shock
Senseof belonging to the family
Actively focuson good things at home and overseas
Your self identity and family identity
Build support network
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13. •Build self-awareness
•Preparation vsUnexpected
•Create your own travel toolkit
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14. To keep in contact with us, sign up to our blog or newsletter:
http://wellbeingintuitionenergy.wordpress.com/
Or connect with us @
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Bettina Pickering
E-mail: bettina.pickering@aronagh.com
Linkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/bettinapickering
Website:www.aronagh.com
Valerie Cheong Took
E-mail: valerie@valeriecheongtook.com
Linkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/valeriecheongtook
Website:www.valeriecheongtook.com

15. •Risk factors for psychological stress among international business travellers, J Striker, R S Luippold, L Nagy, et al., OccupEvironMed 1999 56:245-252
•Managing business travel: Developments and dilemmas in corporate travel management, Per Gustafson, TourismManagement 33 (2012)
•Stress triggers for Business Travellers, Traveller Survey Analysis, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, 2012
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